By Molly Lovell

Staff Writer

The Kennebunk Streetlight Committee is moving forward with a project to possibly decommission more than 200 lights, a move that could save the town up to $20,000 each year.

Committee member Scott Negley said the group was asked to look at the town’s 1,090 lights last fall. It eventually narrowed its scope to a little more than 200 lights that might be decommissioned.

Members of the group divided those lights into four sections so each member could examine each light more closely to determine whether it was in compliance with the town’s streetlight policy.  

Negley said the policy specifies certain areas that should have streetlights, such as intersections, areas where there are sharp curves in the road or at the crest of hills where it might be difficult to see while driving at night.

Negley said committee members went over findings with Town Manager Barry Tibbetts and representatives from the police department. Members also posted orange signs on the lights in question.

“It gave people the opportunity to appeal that decision and say why they might want that light kept on or off,” Negley said.

Residents have an opportunity to submit an appeal and attend one of four public meetings to voice concerns about any particular light.

The first meeting took place in July; more meetings will be Aug. 13, Sept. 9 and Sept. 17. 

Negley said the committee has received 94 appeals, however, some are multiple appeals for one light.

Appeals are varied, Negley said.

Some people are concerned about overall safety while others are more specific and cite increased traffic, heavy pedestrian and biking action and concern for elderly residents as reasons to keep a light. 

After the public hearings are completed the committee will reconsider each light and appeals before voting on a final list to send to the board of selectmen. The board will have the final say on the decision. 

Residents have the option to pay maintenance costs of a streetlight if they do not want it decommissioned.

Kennebunk Light and Power General Manager Sharon Staz said it costs about $10 a month to maintain a light.

The town currently uses one LED light on a lamppost outside the side entrance to town hall. Staz said it’s “much brighter” than a traditional light, provides all down lighting, which provides on the ground, not above the light, and emits a roughly 25-foot circle of well-lighted space. 

“The problem is, we don’t know what they cost,” she said.

The light is a prototype on loan from the company that manufactures the lights.  

While the energy-efficient lights are expensive in the beginning, Statz said they are inexpensive to operate.

“They gave us this light to put up and said, ‘hey, if you like it, then we’ll give you a price on it,’” she said. 

Staz said funding for new lighting was included in a  downtown revitalization bond voters rejected in June. 

“We still want to pursue it, but on a smaller scale,” she said. 

Staff Writer Molly Lovell can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 223 or news@kennebunkpost.com